The Symmetry of God’s Plan

When you think of the word "model" what comes to mind? When I was a child one of my favorite activities was constructing model cars. I had a '67 Mustang Fastback and then I had a '69 SS Camaro along with many others. It was a great thrill, to not only purchase the replica of the actual car, but it was equally fun to put the model together and enjoy the finished product for years to come. Models enable us to look at something from a lot of different angles and appreciate the symmetry of the architect's vision, especially if it's a '67 Mustang. The dictionary defines "model" in this manner, "a small object, usually built to scale, that represents in detail another, often larger, object." Another definition is this, "a schematic description of a system, theory, or phenomenon that accounts for its known or inferred properties and may be used for further study of its characteristics."

There are many different small group "models" that you can build a small group ministry upon. Before you put together a model for small group ministry, you must first establish what the end product should look like before you begin assembling the separate parts. I am a seminary professor and when I teach on this subject, I make sure that my students know the foundational passages and principles of small group ministry:

The Great Commandment: Love for God and love for your neighbor.

The Great Commission: "Make Disciples" surrounded by three modal participles: